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Best Carpal Tunnel Braces

Updated November 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Mueller Green Fitted Wrist Brace
Mueller Green
Fitted Wrist Brace
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Most Comfortable

This brace stands out for its contoured design and comfort. Left or right specificity helps it to fit better than most braces.

Most Comfortable
Bottom Line

This brace stands out for its contoured design and comfort. Left or right specificity helps it to fit better than most braces.

Pros

Metal support plate immobilizes where it's needed. Ergonomic design provides superior comfort. Interior fabric strip prevents Velcro from rubbing against the skin. Breathable padding and fabric make it comfortable all night.

Cons

The largest available size may not work for those with large, wide hands.

Best Bang for the Buck
Dr. Arthritis Copper-Lined Hand and Wrist Support Strap
Dr. Arthritis
Copper-Lined Hand and Wrist Support Strap
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Flexible Design

Developed by doctors, this soft brace offers flexible, non-slip support.

Flexible Design
Bottom Line

Developed by doctors, this soft brace offers flexible, non-slip support.

Pros

Brace is made of neoprene and nylon and is lined with copper. Can be worn on both hands. Velcro closure makes it easy to customize fit and support level. Since it allows decent range of motion, it's popular among typists and athletes.

Cons

Not recommended for individuals with neoprene or nylon allergies.

FUTURO Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace
FUTURO
Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace
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Versatile Application

A reversible sleeve-style wrist brace that our expert notes has 3 straps, allowing for better adjustability.

Versatile Application
Bottom Line

A reversible sleeve-style wrist brace that our expert notes has 3 straps, allowing for better adjustability.

Pros

The versatile design can be worn on either the left or right wrist simply by removing and reinserting the rigid palmar splint. Soft and comfortable enough for all-day use. Easily adjustable Velcro straps offer customizable compression. Moisture- and odor-resistant.

Cons

No upper strap. Velcro fasteners lose grip after a while.

Wellgate for Women Women PerfectFit Wrist Support
Wellgate for Women
Women PerfectFit Wrist Support
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Made for Women

While this brace is designed for women, it works well for almost anyone except those with exceptionally large wrists.

Made for Women
Bottom Line

While this brace is designed for women, it works well for almost anyone except those with exceptionally large wrists.

Pros

Comfortable memory foam core. Made of lightweight, breathable materials. Fits those with small wrists better than other models. Offers flexible support. Palmar splint is effective at immobilizing the wrist and won't warp under pressure.

Cons

Difficult to keep clean since it's a lighter color than other braces.

ACE Night Wrist Sleep Support
ACE
Night Wrist Sleep Support
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Trusted Brand

This set contours with your hand while you sleep and supports it while it recovers.

Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

This set contours with your hand while you sleep and supports it while it recovers.

Pros

This brace is great for sleeping, helping you with ongoing issues with carpal tunnel, as well as other injuries and issues. The palmar splint stabilizes the wrist for you. Cushioning beads are less constricting than wristbands. It's easy to put on and take off.

Cons

Some people find this splint too low quality for long-term use.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
December 02, 2021
30
Models
considered
10
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best carpal tunnel braces

Written by Ade Hennis, and fact-checked by Michael Huynh
Updated November 2023

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is no laughing matter. The pain, numbness, and tingling you might suffer from can interfere with your work and sleep. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition of an entrapped nerve (the median nerve) that runs in between the wrist bones, and repetitive movement can cause inflammation.

Carpal tunnel braces are often the first defense against this uncomfortable condition. The role of the wrist brace is to reduce movement and thus inflammation. However, a tight-fitting wrist brace can actually make the pain worse, so size is very important. 

To find the right brace, you need is an in-depth look at carpal tunnel braces, specifically the features and considerations you need to make before buying. Some are designed to be worn overnight, while others are better during the work day.

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Some carpal tunnel braces extend further up the forearm than others. If you’re petite, you might want to skip these models because even the small sizes may extend uncomfortably high on your forearm.

Key considerations

Types of carpal tunnel braces

Wrist brace/support: Wrist braces or supports are the least invasive of the carpal tunnel braces. They feature a strap or sleeve that fits around the wrist, leaving the wrist and hand free to move. Not everyone gets relief from symptoms with this kind of brace but those that do appreciate the freedom of movement it offers.

Standard carpal tunnel brace: Standard braces hold the wrist in place with a splint or stiff fabric one to four compression straps. These models leave the fingers and thumb free to move while restricting the wrist. You can wear them while working or going about your day and still have a reasonable about of mobility.

Nighttime carpal tunnel brace: Nighttime carpal tunnel braces take movement restriction to the next level. They usually extend further down the wrist and up the hand with some models completely immobilizing the fingers and thumb. To aid comfort, they may have a palm stabilizer.

Expert Tip
Find a size that fits snuggly but is not overly tight as a too-tight brace can make symptoms worse.
BestReviews Medical Expert

Size and fit

Proper size and fit ensure optimum restriction of movement. Most manufacturers base their sizes on wrist circumference so you’ll need to take this measurement before buying. People with small hands or those with larger than average hands may have to do some searching to find a brace that fits appropriately. Some brace designs are made specifically for these outlying sizes; it might just take some extra searching to find them.

Comfort

You’re wearing the brace to reduce pain. If the brace itself isn’t comfortable, it won’t do its job effectively. Comfort relies on proper strap placement, fit, and padding. Straps should hold the brace snug against the wrist and palm of the hand. If they’re not hitting your hand in the correct position, you may have a loose fit that allows too much wrist movement to effectively reduce pain. Finally, adequate padding prevents rubbing or chaffing. It may come in the form of memory foam, foam beads, or neoprene fabric, but it shouldn’t irritate the skin. 

Mobility

The point of a carpal tunnel wrist brace is to reduce inflammation around the carpal tunnel where the median nerve travels from the arm to the hand. To do that the wrist is immobilized so the nerve does not become inflamed as it passes through the carpal tunnel. However, restricting movement of the wrist can be uncomfortable, especially during the day when you’re trying to go about your regular business. You want a brace that leaves the fingers and thumb mobile while restricting the wrist. It’s a fine line to walk as you decide between wrist restriction and hand mobility. If you’ll be wearing the brace in the daytime, lean towards mobility; for nighttime, opt for wrist restriction.

Features

Reversible vs. hand specific

Some braces are designed to fit either the right or left hand. They’re convenient if you use braces on both wrists as you don’t have to find the right one for each wrist. You strap them on and get to work. Hand-specific braces are designed for either the right or left hand only. Hand-specific braces do a better job of immobilizing the wrist and relieving pain but if you don’t want to hunt down the right brace, opt for a reversible model.

Splint/support type

Carpal tunnel braces have a splint within the brace that holds the wrist in the correction position. The material and design of the splint varies and can make a difference to the effectiveness, versatility, and durability of the brace.

Plastic vs. metal: Splints are made of either plastic or metal. Metal is more durable and less flexible than plastic, which in this case is a good thing. However, metal splints can have sharp edges that wear through fabric quicker than plastic. Metal also adds weight.

Removable splints: Depending on the degree of your carpal tunnel syndrome, you may not need the restriction of a splint to relieve your symptoms. The thick fabric and compression straps might be enough to reduce your pain. Removable splints increase the versatility and comfort and may allow for the brace to be machine washed.

Expert TIp
Do not wear the brace all day. Allow your wrist to rest for some time. Wear it only when you need to use your wrist (e.g. typing) or wear the nocturnal brace at night only.
BestReviews Medical Expert

Compression straps/system

The compression system is comprised of either straps or a bungee cord quick lace system. It’s key to a good fit. Braces may have anywhere from one to four compression straps held in place by either Velcro or a quick lace system. Velcro straps allow you to customize the compression for different parts of your wrist and hand. On the downside, if you wear the brace a lot, the Velcro can lose its grip, which makes the brace unusable. Quick lace systems last longer than Velcro but don’t offer the same customization. You’ll have to decide which is more important—custom fit or durability.

Padding

Padding can make a big difference when you’re wearing a brace all day or night. Braces may have memory foam or foam beads covered in breathable fabrics. The padding should fit the contour of your hand and protect your skin from abrasive straps and seams.

Antimicrobial fabrics

The hand can get sweaty when wearing a brace for hours. Fabrics treated with antimicrobial treatments keep odors down and make the brace easier to clean.

Breathability

Breathable fabrics with ventilation features like slots and holes release heat and moisture to prevent sweating. This is particularly important at night because you won’t be aware of the heat build up. 

Color

Color may not seem like an important feature but it makes a difference in appearance and cleaning. Black braces, for example, show the least amount of dirt or wear and tear, making them easy to care for. However, black is far more conspicuous than beige or white. But, beige, and even more so white, have to be cleaned more often.

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Did you know?
At the heart of carpal tunnel syndrome is the median nerve. A narrow tunnel, the carpal tunnel, is the only space it has to pass through ligaments and tendons on its way to the hand. It gets easily irritated by repetitive motions. Carpal tunnel braces hold the wrist in a neutral position to reduce inflammation of this nerve.
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Price

Carpal tunnel wrist braces run between $10 and $40. There are some excellent models both reversible and hand-specific at the low and high end of the price range. Even eco-friendly models that do not contain petroleum products and use recycled materials fall within this price range. Because you can find good braces any wear in this range, the choice really comes down to fit and comfort.

Tips

  • When wearing a carpal tunnel brace at night, you want it to fit snug but not tight. You have to be careful to not restrict blood flow as it can make your symptoms worse.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome often gets worse at night because you don’t have conscious control of your wrists. Nighttime braces tend to be more restrictive and padded than daytime braces.
  • Don’t compromise on fit. People with small hands or bone structure may have a harder time finding a brace, but there are models designed for those individuals. Everyone deserves a brace that fits for the best pain relief.
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Some braces come in one size fits all while others have several size options based on your wrist circumference. You’ll get a better fit with braces designed for your wrist size even though they may cost a few more dollars.

FAQ

Q: Can carpal tunnel wrist braces be machine washed?

A: It depends on the model so check the manufacturer's guidelines. If it’s a model with removable splints, take out the splints before washing; for all other splints, spot clean or hand wash.

Expert TIp
If the pain does not get any better over a week or two, call your doctor to discuss other treatment options because more inflammation of the wrist can cause further damage.
BestReviews Medical Expert

Q: Do braces work better than compression gloves or sleeves?

A: Braces are generally more effective at reducing the symptoms of CTS than compression gloves and sleeves. Braces hold the wrist in a neutral position to reduce inflammation around the carpal tunnel, whereas gloves and sleeves can only compress the area, which still leaves it open to painful irritation.

Q: I want relief for carpal tunnel, but I’d still like good wrist mobility. What are my options?

A: A wrist strap brace that doesn’t have a portion that fits over the hand offers relief while leaving the hand and wrist almost completely mobile. Another option is a brace that either doesn’t have a splint or one that has a splint that does not extend to the palm of the hand. This leaves the hand open to better movement.

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